Hunter scores 21 as Georgia State defeats NAIA program Southern Polytechnic St. 86-58

ATLANTA – R.J. Hunter scored 21 points as Georgia State broke open a close game with a dominant second half to defeat Southern Polytechnic 86-58 Saturday.

There were four ties and seven lead changes in the first half, with the Panthers (5-4) leading 37-35 at the break.

After the Hornets tied it twice early in the second half, Hunter hit a jumper to spark a 13-0 run, giving Georgia State a 53-40 lead with 14:36 left.

Southern Poly could get no closer than nine from that point, as the Panthers shot 56.3 percent in the second half (18 of 32) compared to 32 percent (8 of 25) for the Hornets, an NAIA program counting the game as an exhibition.